hmholmes19's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jackievr's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
pedanther's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
kimberly_b's review against another edition
3.0
I received this story as a gift, and I had no idea what Screwtape was about until I read the first letter and realized it consists of correspondence between two demons. Lewis develops an interesting and in-depth satire throughout the letters; it's obvious a great deal of thought went into this piece. The main take-away point of the letters is that Christians are lost from Christianity usually not all at once but bit by bit, and it takes faithfulness to God to ward of evilness and sin in this world. It's interesting that as you're reading the letters you have to constantly remind yourself that you really want to strive for the opposite of what Screwtape is advocating, just like the message of the book that you have to remain ever-vigilant. This is a tough story to rate. Although it is an interesting one, I did find it heavy-handed and bit on the 'slippery slope' side of things. Overall, I appreciate what Lewis put into the piece so I'm rating it 3 stars.
Note: I actually own this edition of the story, [b:The Complete C. S. Lewis Signature Classics|7882566|The Complete C. S. Lewis Signature Classics|C.S. Lewis|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1268951379s/7882566.jpg|11088731], which includes six other works by Lewis. I plan on reading them all eventually, but I wanted to reflect that I've only read Screwtape thus far so I used this edition to review.
Note: I actually own this edition of the story, [b:The Complete C. S. Lewis Signature Classics|7882566|The Complete C. S. Lewis Signature Classics|C.S. Lewis|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1268951379s/7882566.jpg|11088731], which includes six other works by Lewis. I plan on reading them all eventually, but I wanted to reflect that I've only read Screwtape thus far so I used this edition to review.
morganw33's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jtferdon's review against another edition
3.0
1942 - The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
Screwtape Letters is written as a series of letters from Screwtape (the Devil) to his nephew, Wormwood (junior Devil). He is instructing him through these letters how to tempt a man known only as “the Patient” into damnation.
While I appreciated the writing and satire (3 star rating for writing quality, otherwise 2 stars), this book was not for me.
3 stars
Screwtape Letters is written as a series of letters from Screwtape (the Devil) to his nephew, Wormwood (junior Devil). He is instructing him through these letters how to tempt a man known only as “the Patient” into damnation.
While I appreciated the writing and satire (3 star rating for writing quality, otherwise 2 stars), this book was not for me.
3 stars
batbones's review against another edition
5.0
One can read a hundred sermons/lessons and not come upon an inspired point of clarity which naturally directs toward resolve, which Lewis' works so naturally provide. He understands the mind of man more deeply than most, stripping away the intricate layers and cunning ways in which we deceive ourselves. Yet the spirit which goes about this vivisection is ostensibly kind, understanding and forgiving, just far too wise to overlook or tolerate the rewriting of the black into the grey.
This is a series of 'letters' of advice by an older demon Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood, as the latter gets a handle around his new job as Tempter of one individual, a man who has recently converted to Christianity. The plot is engaging and sometimes very funny (there's a part where the nephew reports his uncle to Hell's censors for their version of wrongthink). More than fictional cushioning, though Lewis uses this 'colouring in' to extrapolate interestingly and plausibly (i.e. within the confines of Christian i.e. biblical belief) upon vital Christian concepts that undoubtedly most new and mature Christians wonder about - such the mechanics of temptation, how do the forces of good and evil interact, the function & operation of Christian acts and behaviour such prayer, the bestowment of blessings, and how can acts of God and free will coexist. The letters and the contextual background it implies work similarly to the metaphysical 'frame' in the Book of Job, putting singular human endeavour into the larger and more fundamental backdrop of war in the spiritual dimension. Rather than making man small, it serves only to enlarge and give weight to what could be deemed, outwardly, paltry and seemingly pointless, the smallest twists of attitudes, afterthoughts and gestures matter - because the war between principles and powers is rightly inextricably linked, minute to minute, to how an individual speaks, walks, behaves in his daily acts. In this way, Lewis yokes the concerns of the spiritual (i.e. how do I become a faithful believer?) to the everyday. From how one may handle feeling annoyed at uninvited guests, living with relatives, or entertain romantic interests; how one prays, behaves in front of people one desires to impress, the seemingly trivial is of fundamental importance - arguably, well, as it should be. Lewis cites no biblical verses in his writing, but he comes much closer in essence to the heart of the bible, its meaning, its power, and why it continues to matter.
This is a series of 'letters' of advice by an older demon Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood, as the latter gets a handle around his new job as Tempter of one individual, a man who has recently converted to Christianity. The plot is engaging and sometimes very funny (there's a part where the nephew reports his uncle to Hell's censors for their version of wrongthink). More than fictional cushioning, though Lewis uses this 'colouring in' to extrapolate interestingly and plausibly (i.e. within the confines of Christian i.e. biblical belief) upon vital Christian concepts that undoubtedly most new and mature Christians wonder about - such the mechanics of temptation, how do the forces of good and evil interact, the function & operation of Christian acts and behaviour such prayer, the bestowment of blessings, and how can acts of God and free will coexist. The letters and the contextual background it implies work similarly to the metaphysical 'frame' in the Book of Job, putting singular human endeavour into the larger and more fundamental backdrop of war in the spiritual dimension. Rather than making man small, it serves only to enlarge and give weight to what could be deemed, outwardly, paltry and seemingly pointless, the smallest twists of attitudes, afterthoughts and gestures matter - because the war between principles and powers is rightly inextricably linked, minute to minute, to how an individual speaks, walks, behaves in his daily acts. In this way, Lewis yokes the concerns of the spiritual (i.e. how do I become a faithful believer?) to the everyday. From how one may handle feeling annoyed at uninvited guests, living with relatives, or entertain romantic interests; how one prays, behaves in front of people one desires to impress, the seemingly trivial is of fundamental importance - arguably, well, as it should be. Lewis cites no biblical verses in his writing, but he comes much closer in essence to the heart of the bible, its meaning, its power, and why it continues to matter.
gabriella_batel_author's review against another edition
5.0
A grimly comical and thought-provoking set of thoughts from the casual POV of a devil. So interesting, seamlessly written, and satisfying.
My full thoughts are here!
https://youtu.be/BtUNSLqWnFU
My full thoughts are here!
https://youtu.be/BtUNSLqWnFU
reader1657's review against another edition
I distinctly remember trying to read this like 13 years ago. There was no need for me to pick it back up.